Hunting the Devil by Richard Lourie

A Soviet True Crime Account of Andrei Chikatilo, the Butcher of Rostov, and Issa Kostoev

Between 1978 and 1990 across the Soviet Union, Andrei Chikatilo murdered at least fifty-two women and children near train stations and forested transit routes. Operating during a period when Soviet doctrine denied the existence of serial killers, Chikatilo evaded capture for over a decade.

Author Richard Lourie chronicles "Operation Forest," the massive task force led by Chief Investigator Issa Kostoev. The narrative follows the psychological profiling, railway stakeouts, blood-group forensic analysis, and final interrogation that secured Chikatilo's confession and conviction in Rostov-on-Don.

Why You’ll Love This Book

Richard Lourie crafts an extraordinary, primary-source account of Soviet homicide investigation and forensic history. Perfect for readers of John Douglas, Robert Cullen, and David Simon.